WASHINGTON -- Greek-American political leaders say their push for the U.S. to use its political power on behalf of Greece is helping to resolve the nation's financial crisis. But they say they could do more if not for the Obama administration’s reluctance to get involved in European affairs.
Greek-American organizations say they have steadfastly lobbied the U.S. government to use its power to secure better terms for Greece on the repayment of its massive debts to the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank.
"We have been railing on the austerity-only politics of the EU,” since the start of Greece’s debt crisis in 2009, said Endy Zemenides, executive director of the Chicago-based Hellenic American Leadership Council, one of the largest Greek-American political action organizations. “We did not think they were going to work when they were imposed, and we still think they are not working.”
Efforts of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, the American Hellenic Institute and other groups to encourage the U.S. to pressure Europe to ease austerity policies have included letters to the editor and diplomatic briefings for Congress.
When President Barack Obama criticized European leaders in February for forcing a fiscal adjustment on Greece that has prevented it from recovering, the Hellenic American Leadership Council solicited more than 13,000 signatures for a petition thanking the president and encouraging him to continue to use his bully pulpit to pressure European leaders.
After the left-populist Syriza party’s election in January, these Greek-American groups have been crucial in building ties between the new government and Congress. They claim credit for organizing meetings with members of Congress for Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias in April, and Greek defense minister Panos Kammenos in May.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) is a co-chair of the congressional Hellenic Caucus. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
As negotiations between Greece and its creditors approached the June 30 expiration of the previous aid package, the Hellenic American Leadership Council helped coordinate a letter to the Obama administration from Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), co-chairs of the congressional Hellenic Caucus, which has 119 members. The letter urges the U.S. to “support efforts for a sensible economic recovery” in Greece’s negotiations with its creditors.
While the Hellenic American Leadership Council made no endorsement in Greece’s July 5 referendum on the creditors’ bailout deal, it did have former Greek-American congressman Zack Space write an issue brief on the meaning of the vote that it circulated to members of Congress. The brief included a recommendation that the U.S. use its influence to have the IMF invoke a hardship provision that would allow Greece to take as long as it needs to pay back the IMF.
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Posted by Hellenic American Leadership Council on Friday, July 3, 2015
Zemenides said he believes advocacy by the Hellenic American Leadership Council and other groups has paid off, contributing, for example, to a “change in the IMF’s tone.” An IMF report released June 26 effectively endorsed debt relief for Greece that validated the Greek government’s position ahead of the July 5 referendum, and is believed to have given debt relief last-minute momentum in negotiations. As HuffPost reported on Wednesday, some experts attributed the release of the report, over the objections of eurozone nations, to efforts of the Obama administration.
In recent days, Obama and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew have been more aggressive in their calls for a compromise deal that includes debt relief for Greece.
But Zemenides and other Greek-American leaders expressed frustration that the Obama administration hasn't done more.
“While we are putting a lot of attention and ideas out here, the U.S. ain’t the prime player here,” Zemenides said. “The real problem for us is that the U.S. has the least skin in the game in terms of loans outstanding to Greece. That does not mean we are satisfied even with what we have done. The U.S. has skin in the game geostrategy-wise ... I think the U.S.’ voice should be louder and clearer.”
Nick Larigakis, president of the American Hellenic Institute, said in a statement that he appreciated administration efforts, but “more would be welcome.”
Andy Manatos, a veteran Washington lobbyist, who represents several major Greek-American political action groups, praised the Obama administration’s efforts to secure a deal for Greece that provides greater relief.
“Within the administration, what the president and Lew have been doing -- these are probably Greece’s best friends in the world,” Manatos said. “I have to take my hat off to Obama and to Lew. They have done a good job in terms of the number of times they have pushed [Angela] Merkel and the IMF.”
President Obama greeting IMF managing director Christine Lagarde at the G-7 summit on June 8, 2015. Obama is believed to have pushed the IMF to release a report on the unsustainability of Greece’s debts. (Photo by Carl Court/GettyImages)
But Manatos agreed the administration’s reticence to be seen as meddling in European affairs had prevented more decisive actions, including “opening up its wallet to help Greece.”
Manatos said that the Greek-American community is prepared to mount a massive lobbying campaign for U.S. government aid to Greece if the country is forced to leave the eurozone. If that happens, the U.S. could stop worrying about unduly meddling in European affairs.
“They will be in a dire situation," Manatos said. "We will be in a position to step in and we owe it to them.”
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